Behind the Shots: World Shootout Photo Competition 2024

It's underwater photography award season and we've got the inside scoop from a few of this year's World Shootout winners! World Shootout is celebrating nearly two decades of successful photo competitions and over a quarter of a million dollars worth of prize money. Check out their full list of winners.

Think you've got what it takes? Besides monetary gain, underwater photo competitions are a great way to get more exposure, hone your craft, and step outside your comfort zone. It's never too early to start getting prepared. Read Tips on Entering a Photo Contest and start getting rewarded for all your hard work.

Steven Kovacs

1st Place | Blackwater

© Steven Kovacs // Shot with Ikelite Underwater Housing + Ikelite Strobes

Steven Kovacs is an Ikelite Ambassador and blackwater photo connoisseur. Not just a connoisseur of blackwater photography, Steven is also a prolific underwater contest winner. We got a chance to ask him some advice on photo competitions, Steven emphasized the importance of distinctive imaging. Read his full article Photo Contest Tips From a 100x Winner.

"Whether it is because of different lighting, composition, or a rarely seen behavior, I know I'm much more likely to stand out if my image is unique or very rare. As a result, I enjoy trying to create those kinds of distinctive images. That's one of the reasons I enjoy blackwater photography and behavior photography. It allows me to create photographs that are unique or very difficult to attain. However, I realize it still has to be technically good to be entered in a competition. Just because it's unique or rare, if it's not a great image it won't place."

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Instagram @steven_kovacs_phoography
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Rowan Dear

1st Place | Macro

Nominee | Best Picture

Leafy sea dragon image by Rowan Dear taken with Ikelite Underwater Housing

© Rowan Dear // Shot with an Ikelite Underwater Housing

Rowan Dear has been making waves in the underwater photo competition circuit. Not only did his leafy sea dragon image win him 1st place in the Macro category, he was also a nominee for Best Picture in this year's World Shootout awards.

"One of the most fascinating looking animals on the planet, I had wanted to see one since I learnt of their existence, and had desperately wanted to get a perfect front on shot.

"Having spent several days shooting the leafy sea dragons and their habitat, I decided to switch to the Sony 90mm macro lens for a night dive. Whilst shy at first, this male leafy- who was also carrying eggs- eventually became more comfortable in my presence. Using a red video light to help focus and not scare away the leafy, it finally turned and momentarily paused and looked straight at me, head on to create this perfect portrait."

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www.rdearphotography.com
Instagram @rdearphotography

Anna Aita

3rd Place | Underwater Fashion

© Anna Aita // Shot with an Ikelite Underwater Housing

Anna Aita received a much deserved win for her image "The Lily Pad Garden" with World Shootout and in this year's Ocean Art competition too. Originally from Italy, Anna moved to the coast of Florida where her underwater photography obsession began in earnest.

"A Naiad, an enchanting water nymph, sleeping in an underwater lily pad garden. This image was captured underwater in a cenote (sinkhole) in Mexico full of lily pads. It was shot with natural light with my Sony a7 IV inside my trustworthy Ikelite housing.

"I was born and raised in Milan, Italy and I moved to the USA, in Florida, in 2021, fascinated by the beautiful nature and the sunny days. I have been a circus instructor for over 12 years and circus arts performers and students inspired me to learn photography to tell the stories of regular people that can transform into superheroes.

"When I moved to Florida I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of the nature and I started to do more photoshoots outside the studio. I got my free diving certification and I started to explore the stunning Florida Springs. Obviously underwater photography became my new addiction. My underwater world is ethereal, dreamy and poetic."

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